Roller skate training device



Nov. 14, 1961 G. M. sTlTEs 3,008,725

ROLLER SKATE TRAINING DEVICE Filed April 3. 1959 G50/es: M. ST1 T55 BY /M) ATTQRNEYS. 4

United States Patent O 3,008,725 ROLLER SKATE TRAINING DEVICE George M. Stites, Morristown, NJ. (191 Green Road, R.D. 1, Sparta, NJ.) Filed Apr. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 803,941 8 Claims. (Cl. 280-11.2)

This invention relates to the art of roller skating and relates more particularly to roller skates of utility especially in the training of beginning skaters.

In the roller skating art various forms and constructions vof braking devices for roller skates have been proposed, for temporarily mechanically braking the forward or rearward movement of the skater. The braking force may be applied to the ska-te wheels, for example, and be initiated automatically by or in response to a voluntary or involuntary raising of the -toe or heel of the skate while in motion, or it may be applied through the medium of a supplemen-tary braking wheel or other friction device carried by the skate and brought into contact with the skating surface. u

This invention is concerned in particular with controlling the degree of rolling freedom of roller skates at all times when they are in use, to the end that the beginning skater in particular may -be automatically safeguarded against suddenly reaching speeds which are .beyond his capacity to handle. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved roller skate for training purposes.

It is among the objects of this invention to enable the degree of rolling freedom of a roller skate when in use to be manually pre-set for training purposes to whatever level is best suited to the skill of the user, and to enable this level to be maintained substantially the same for so long as the user desires or requires, through the provision of a new and improved roller skate for training purposes.

Another object of this invention is to enable roller skates of standard sizes and types to be modied or converted temporarily to a form in which they'may be pre-set as aforesaid for use for `training purposes and to enable such modification or conversion to be effected without any alteration in or of the structure of the roller skate or of its parts, through the provision of a new and irnproved braking attachment of this invention.

Another object of this invention is to enable the modication or conversion aforesaid to be effected through the provision of a roller skate braking attachment for training purposes which in one and the same unit will permit of use on and with skates of all sizes, whether childrens or adults, and requires no special rtools for its installation and removal. Y

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

According to the invention, a roller skate having four conventional wheels arranged in pairs and mounted for rotation on tandem axles, is providedbetween the axles and below the skate platform, with a freely rotatable braking wheel whose freedom of rotation may be restricted to any desired degree for training purposes. The braking wheel is made, preferably, of a suitable resilient material such, for example, as rubber, and is mounted so as to maintain rolling contact with the ground at the samelevel as the four conventional wheels. Means are provided for varying the braking action of the braking wheel so that the degree of rolling freedom of the skate in use may be pre-set towhatever level is best suited to the skill of the user. Preferably, mounting of the braking wheeltis effected through -thelprovision' of a bracket member extending'fro-m one tothe other of the tandem axles, the bracket member being releasably coupled at its opposite ends to the axles' and serving to support the braking wheel ICC rotatably intermediate the axles. Preferably .the bracket member is extensible lengthwise so as to permit of increase or decrease in length to accommodate it to skates of diiferent size and also supports the braking wheel adjustably for vertical movement relative to ythe skate platform so as to accommodate the braking wheel to skates having different wheel diameters.

In the accompanying drawing-which forms part of the instant specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views.

-FIG. l is a part-sectional, part fragmentary, view in side elevation of a conventional four-wheeled roller skate embodying thebraking attachment of this invention; Y

FIG. 2 is a view in top plan of the braking attachment depicted in FIG. l, and

FIG. 3 is a view in top plan of a detail of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is illustrated in FIG. l a roller skate 1 having front and rear truck support members 2 and 3, respectively, to each of which there is mounted a wheel support truck 4 by means of a bolt 5. The truck support member 2 is carried by a forward plate section 6 extensibly slidably connected -with a rear section 7 associated with truck support member 3, the sections being retained in adjusted position by means of a bolt 8. The trucks 4 each comprise an axle housing 9 in which is carried a wheel axle 10, uponwhose extremities conventional wheels 11 are mounted in pairs for rotation. The construction described is well understood in the art. In FIG. 1 only a fragmentary portion of the near wheel of each of the front and rear pairs of wheels 11, is depicted, the view showing the fragmentary portion of each near wheel Vin side elevation.

A braking wheel 12 for training purposes is securely mounted between the front and rear axles 10 and below the plate sections 6 and 7, in a position -to maintain contact with the ground at the same level as the four conventional wheels 11.` The ground level is indicated by the line 13, FIG. l. The braking wheel 12 is made of a resilient material, preferably rubber, which is sutiiciently hard to possess satisfactory Wearing qualities and yet suficiently soft to permit deflection under load to a degree such that the wheel will preferably be slightly attened, as at 14, where it contacts the ground.

As here preferably embodied the means for mounting the braking wheel 12 as aforesaidcomprses a bracket member 15 which carries the wheel 12 and spans the distance between the front and rear axles 10 and is releasably coupled at its opposite ends to the front and rear wheel support trucks 4. The bracket member is extensible ler'lgthwise so as to accommodate it to variations in the axle span for different skate sizes and is of a construction to permit of the wheel 12 being raised or lowered as required to accommodate it to differences in diamter of the conventional wheels 11 in the various types of skates. To this end, the bracket member 15 comprises a central wheel-mounting section 16 upon and by which the Wheel 12 is journalled for rotation, and a pair of endclamping sections 17. The latter are identical in construction so that a description of one will suce for both.

The central wheel-mounting section 16 as here preff erably embodied comprises a relatively thin, but rigid, stn'pof a material, preferably steel, fashioned to provide a wheel opening 18 midwayof its ends in which the braking wheel 12 is journalled for rotation uponan axle 19. The axle 19 is', in turn, carried in a pair of suitable bearings 20 each located in a bearing strip portion 21 at either side of the opening 18, the bearings being arranged so that the axis ofthe axle 19 will parallel the axes 10 of the skate'in the installed position. Advantageously, the bearings 20 may be fashioned from the material of the bearing strips 21 by slitting each'strip lengthwise along a line 22 and up-setting the materialien opposite sides of the line to provide upper and lower bearing surfaces conforming to the shape of the axle 19.

The axle 19 as here preferably embodied comprises a bolt whose head 23 abuts the outside edge of the bearing strip 21 at one side of the opening and Whose lthreaded end 24 carries a nut 25, preferably a self-locking wing nut, abutting the bearing strip 21 at the opposite side of the opening. A pair of annular bushings 26 are mounted on the axle 19 at opposite sides of the wheel 12 and in abutting relation thereto. Thus, by rotating the wing-nut 25, the braking wheel 12 may be more or less firmly gripped between the bushings 26 so as to pre-set it to whatever degree of rotational freedom is desired.

The central wheel-bearing section is preferably symmetrical about the axis of the axle 19 and is of a configuration to provide at each side, a downwardly inclined leg portion 27 which, in turn, terminates in an upwardly inclined securing arm portion 28 for adjustably securing the central wheel-bearing section to the respective clamping sections 17. One face of the securing arm portion 28 is formed with a number of parallel grooves 29 forming teeth which are adapted to mate with complementary grooves 31 fonned in the respective clamping sections 17, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

The clamping sections 17 are identical, as has been mentioned above, and each is of a construction to be adjustably connected at its inner end to the wheel-bearing section 16, and to be releasably connected at its outer end to the skate.

To this end, each clamping section 17 comprises a pair of clamping plates 32 and 33 which are vertically disposed in spaced parallel relation to each other and parallel to the skate axles 10. The clamping plates 32 and 33 are provided with oppositely threaded apertures 34 and 35, respectively, coaxially aligned to receive a clamping screw 36 having the oppositely threaded screw portions 37 and 38. Thus, upon rotation of the clamping screw in one direction the spacing between the clamping plates can be decreased, and vice versa. Advantageously, the head portion 39 of the clamping screw 36 may be fashioned to take the standard skate adjustment key so that the one key may be employed for all required adhowever that in certainpinstances the construction of the skates may be such as to require that the hoo-ked clamping arm engage some other stationary part of the skate structure, such for example, as the axle per se.

The clamping plate 33 is provided along its upper edge with a securing arm 41 for securing lthe clamping section 17 tothe wheel-bearing section 16. The arm 41 terminates in a downwardly inclined securing arm portion 42 having in its upper face the adjusting grooves 31 abovementioned. The angle of inclination of the securing arm portion 42 is the same as that of the securing arm portion 28 so that by advancing the securing arm y41 along the threaded portion 38 of the clamping screw 36 toward the braking-wheel 12, the central wheel-bearing section 16 can be vertically raised while preserving the parallel relationship of the securing arm portions 28 and 42. The latter is provided with a bolting aperture 43, FIG. 3, which is elongated lengthwise of the securing arm portion. A corresponding aperture (not shown) is provided in the overlying securing arm portion 28, these apertures being aligned and providing for the passage of a bolt 44 serving to releasably secure the securing arms together in selected position with their opposing toothed surfaces in matching engagement.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the application of this invention to a conventional roller skate, the unitary braking attachment comprised of the central wheel-bearing section 16 and the end-clamping sections 17, is positioned as depicted in FIG. l so that with the hooked clamping arms 4d in position on the axle housings 9, the semi-soft rubber braking wheel will be in contact with the skating surface at the same level as the four conventional wheels 11. If the braking wheel must be vertically adjusted to obtain the desired setting, this may be accomplished by loosening the bolts 44' sufficiently to permit disengagement of the :grooved securing arms 28 and 42 and by then rotating either or both of the clamping screws 36 in one direction or the other to obtain whatever spacing between the securing arm portions 42 is necessary to support the wheel-bearing section 16 at the correct height. The bolts 44 are then secured, and a iinal ltightening of the clamping screws 36 carried out. The wing nut 25 is then tightened to the extent necessary to restrict the freedom of rotation of the brakingv wheel to the desired degree. Thus, the degree of rolling freedom of the skate may tbe pre-set to and maintained at a level which is consistent with the skill of the user, without any modification of the basic structure of the skate. As proficiency increases, the user may increase the degree of rolling freedom by backing-off on the wing-nut 25 until, when braking may be dispensed with entirely, the attachment may be quickly and easily removed from the skates merely by a loosening of the clamping screws 36.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific combinations, improvements and instrumentalities described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

l. An improved roller skate having four conventional wheels; individual wheel support means at the toe and heel portions, respectively, of said skate; a braking-wheel for training purposes located between said individual wheel support means; means for varying the braking. action of said braking wheel; and adjustable means for mounting said braking wheel to said individual wheel support means to maintain contact with the ground at the same level as the four conventional wheels, said mounting means comprising a bracket member interconnecting said wheel support means and supporting said braking wheel, said bracket member having, between said braking wheel and the respective wheel support means, inclined, abutting, relatively movable surfaces for varying the level of said braking wheel relative to said conventional Wheels to accommodate said braking wheel for use with conventional wheels of various diameters.

2. An improved roller skate having four conventional wheels; individual wheel support means at the toe and heel portions, respectively of said skate; a braking-Wheel for training purposes located between said individual wheel support means; and adjustable means for mounting said braking wheel to said individual wheel support means to maintain contact with the ground at the same levelk as the four conventional wheels, said mounting means comprising a central section for rotatably supporting said braking wheel, and a pair of end sections for supporting said central section to maintain said braking wheel at the desired level, said end sections being mounted to said individual wheel support means and being adjustably secured to said central section for movement of said central section in a direction at right angles to said end sections.

3. An improved roller skate in accordance with claim 2, said end sections each including a hooked clamping member for clamping the end section to the associated wheel support means, an arm for securing the end section to said central section, and screw means adjustably connecting said clamping member and said securing arm for varying the spacing therebetween and for tensioning said mounting means between said wheel support means,

. each said clamping screw means having oppositely threaded screw sections.

4- A11 improved roller skate in accordance with claim 3, in which said securing arms and said central wheelbearing section are each provided with inclined surfaces, and means for releasably clamping said arms to said central wheel-bearing section with the inclined surfaces in abutting engagement.

5. An improved roller skate for training purposes, having conventional toe wheels and heel wheels and having conventional wheel trucks for supporting said wheels, a braking-wheel located between said toe and heel wheels, a central wheel-bearing section to which said braking wheel -is journalled, said section having an aperture for said braking-wheel and including means for varying the freedom of rotation of said wheel, a pair of end sections coupling said central section to said wheel trucks, said central section having downwardly inclined leg portions terminating in upwardly inclined securing arm portions, and said end sections having downwardly inclined securing arm portions in parallel abutting relation to the upwardly inclined securing arm portions of said central section, for eifecting vertical adjustment of said central section and said braking-wheel toward and away from said contact level, and means for releasably securing said abutting inclined securing arm portions together.

6. A roller skate attachment for training purposes comprising a braking-wheel, means for mounting said Wheel to a roller skate between the toe wheels and the heel wheels of the skate to maintain contact with the ground at the same level as the toe and heel wheels, said mounting means having individual clamping members for engaging the skate at the toe and heel portions, respectively, of the skate, said `clamping members being adjustable toward and away from each other, and means carried by said mounting meansl for pre-setting the degree of rotational freedom of the braking-wheel to a desired level.

7. A roller skate attachment in accordance with claim 6 in which said braking-wheel is made of a semi-soft rubber.

8. A roller skate attachment in accordance with claim 6 in which said clamping members are horizontally aligned with each other and in which said braking-wheel is vertically adjustable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 308,744 Brix Dec. 2, 1884 1,050,490 Schwarz I an. 14, 1913 2,027,487 Means Ian. 14, 1936 2,725,238 Day Nov. 29, 1955 2,865,644 Levin Dec. 23, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,262 Great Bnitain July 1, 1909 of 1909 2,679 Great Britain June 29, 1876 of 1876 

